The BMA said Poles have the same access as Scots to free care

Zosia Wierbowicz-Fraser, chairwoman of the Inverness Polish Association, claimed many did not want to explain their illness through an interpreter.

She said they were also worried that they would have to pay to register as they do in Poland.

The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland said the issue was concerning.

Mrs Wierbowicz-Fraser said about 2,500 of the 8,000 Poles living in the Highlands were not registered with a GP.

Some are self-medicating and are having medicines sent to them from Poland Zosia Wierbowicz-Fraser

She said: "Every second Pole I speak to has not registered.

"They are scared that they will have to pay to register and to get good treatment as they do in Poland.

"Some are self-medicating and are having medicines sent to them from Poland."

Mrs Wierbowicz-Fraser added: "If you are not under the care of a doctor how on earth do you know what the long-term effects of what you are taking will be?"

However, she said the community has a good working relationship with Inverness's Raigmore Hospital where more than 50 babies have been born to Polish mothers in the last year.

Free care

The BMA said it was the right of every citizen in Scotland to have access to free health care.

A spokeswoman said: "Polish people should be made aware of their rights.

"For certain minor ailments you can see a pharmacist, but where a Polish person has concerns about their health they shouldn't feel that they cannot seek medical attention."

Our hospital and community midwives have a range of literature to give to Polish women when they have their first appointment Midwifery manager Angela Watt

NHS Highland said a welcome pack was available for the Polish community which included information on how to register with a GP.

Midwifery manager Angela Watt said: "Our hospital and community midwives have a range of literature to give to Polish women when they have their first appointment.

"These include leaflets about the routine blood tests, special screening tests and also more in-depth books in Polish such as a guide to parenting for birth up to three-years-old."

Meanwhile, the Inverness Polish Association is holding a gathering in the city on 6 May to mark their homeland's constitution celebrations.

This is traditionally held on 3 May, but is being staged in Inverness three days later to avoid the council and Scottish parliamentary elections.